Offers practical education, certification and dedicated lab for students and working professionals to close skills gap in data science

Pivotal and EMC today announced that they have partnered with Temasek Polytechnic to launch the TP-Pivotal Data Science Academy, one of the first Data Science Academies in the Asia-Pacific region offering a practical, hands-on program for training and certifying Data Scientists and Big Data Engineers.

Both companies will provide the hardware, software and initial expertise to kick start the Academy program.

Singapore, December 17, 2014 - Temasek Polytechnic (TP), Pivotal Software, Inc. and EMC Computer Systems today announced a strategic partnership to launch the TP-Pivotal Data Science Academy. The Academy is one of the first in the Asia-Pacific region as it combines a practical education, software defined analytics platform, dedicated lab space and certification into a streamlined program for aspiring Data Scientists and Big Data engineers. It will also be the first of its kind to be hosted in a polytechnic in Singapore, with close collaboration and support from industry partners.

As enterprises in Asia-Pacific face growing challenges in managing Big Data, the Academy will help meet the escalating demand for data science professionals. In addition, this supports Singapore’s vision to become a Smart Nation by developing a talented workforce to realize this vision.

Leveraging on Pivotal’s experience in helping numerous companies globally and in Asia-Pacific execute their first data science projects and establish internal centers-of-excellence for training, Pivotal and EMC will come together as a Federation of companies, to provide strategically aligned solutions and expertise to kick start the Academy program. The Academy will also offer a software-defined platform as an option for customers to get started on their journey with data science in the emerging arena of mobile, cloud, big data and social (also called the 3rd platform).

An extension of TP’s two full-time and part-time diploma programs on Big Data Management and in Business Analytics, the program will support selected diploma coursework as well as provide short elective courses and a 6-week projects program designed to solve both hypothetical problems and real problems in the areas of Big Data Management and Business Analytics. In addition, working professionals wanting to earn a certification in Data Science skill-sets can now register for specialist diploma courses, short certification courses at the new Data Science Academy.

The first intake is expected to commence in Q2/3 2015, with 100 participants expected to enrol in the first year.

Supporting Quotes

Greg Whalen, Chief Data Scientist, Pivotal Asia-Pacific & Japan

“Singapore is uniquely positioned to become a regional power in Big Data and Data Science. With many MNCs choosing Singapore as their hub in Asia, Singapore represents the natural choice for both performing Asia-wide analytics on large data sets and has the multi-cultural and educational environment to succeed in executing on that vision. In parallel, Singapore's goal to become the first Smart Nation will drive further demand for Data Science and big data professionals.”

Eric Goh, Managing Director, EMC Computer Systems

“We are proud to be collaborating with Pivotal to launch the first Data Science Academy in the region. The experience and expertise that this partnership brings will help groom data professionals for this rapidly growing industry and propel Singapore towards its goal of becoming the world’s first Smart Nation.”

About EMC

EMC Computer Systems (South Asia) Pte Ltd. was incorporated in 1994 and is based in Singapore. EMC Computer Systems (South Asia) Pte Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of EMC Corporation, a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service. Fundamental to this transformation is cloud computing. Through innovative products and services, EMC accelerates the journey to cloud computing, helping IT departments to store, manage, protect and analyze their most valuable asset – information – in a more agile, trusted and cost-efficient way. Additional information about EMC can be found at www.emc.com.

About Temasek Polytechnic

Temasek Polytechnic (TP) is a significant contributor to the field of para-professional education in Singapore. TP currently offers 51 full-time diploma courses in the areas of applied science, business, design, engineering, humanities and social sciences and informatics & IT. It also offers over 40 part-time courses, up to the advanced diploma level. TP students undergo a holistic learning system that combines hands-on experience, character education and relevant life skills, in an enriching learning environment. The Polytechnic has also infused global realities into its programmes and developed a mindset on campus that embraces socio-cultural diversity. These approaches ensure that TP graduates are economy relevant, future relevant and life relevant. www.tp.edu.sg

About Pivotal

Pivotal’s Cloud-Native platform drives software innovation for many of the world’s most admired brands. With millions of developers in communities around the world, Pivotal technology touches billions of users every day. After shaping the software development culture of Silicon Valley's most valuable companies for over a decade, today Pivotal leads a global technology movement transforming how the world builds software.